The Best Kids (5–8) Activities in NYC

Things to do with kids in NYC

Find the best upcoming events & activities for kids (5–8)

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Thursday Dec. 18, 2025

Noon – 6 pm

Holidays on Atlantic Avenue

Ages: All
Christmas
Community

Brooklyn

Screenshot 2025-09-26 145630

3 – 6 pm

Jennifer’s Playground Free Afterschool Program

Ages: 5 – 12
Community
Free

Jennifer’s PlaygroundStaten Island

5:30 pm

My First Nutcracker

Ages: 3 – 8
Theater

Theatre RowNew York City

6 – 10 pm

The Week Before Christmas Sip and Shop

Ages: All
Holiday

Richmond RepublicStaten Island

7 – 8 pm

A Christmas Carol the Musical

Ages: 5 and up
Christmas
Holiday

The Players TheatreNew York City

Friday Dec. 19

Festival of Trees 2023 Flyer (2)

All day

Port Jefferson Festival of Trees

Ages: 5 – 8
Free
Holiday

Port Jefferson Village CenterPort Jefferson

NY-FamilyEvent-2025

Various

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Interactive Holiday Show

Ages: 8 and under
Holiday
Theater

Manhattan Movement & Arts CenterUpper West Side

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10 – 11 am

Stella 34 Trattoria’s Breakfast with Santa

Ages: 5 – 8
Food & Drink

Stella 34 TrattoriaHerald Square

CMOM_Hanukkah_Dec25 Programming

10 am – 5 pm

Spin, Sing, and Shine for Hanukkah at CMOM

Ages: 8 and under
Art
Craft & DIY

The Tisch Building at CMOMUpper West Side

childrens access pic

11 am – noon

Children’s Access Workshops

Ages: 5 – 12
Dance
Special Needs

New York City Ballet Rehearsal Studios Samuel B. & David Rose BuildingUpper West Side

Noon – 6 pm

Holidays on Atlantic Avenue

Ages: All
Christmas
Community

Brooklyn

Screenshot 2025-09-26 145630

3 – 6 pm

Jennifer’s Playground Free Afterschool Program

Ages: 5 – 12
Community
Free

Jennifer’s PlaygroundStaten Island

christmas-cookies_e7b1d8

3 – 5 pm

Cookies, Crafts and Cocoa with Santa – Youth Session

Ages: 5 – 12
Free

DeMatti Park Fieldhouse in De Matti ParkStaten Island

4:30 – 9 pm

Gingerbread House Painting

Ages: All
Art
Community

COLOR ME MINE UPPER WEST SIDEUpper West Side

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5 – 6 pm

Faber Recreation Center Youth Drop-In Programs Game Zone

Ages: 5 and up
Community
Free

Faber ParkStaten Island

5:30 pm

My First Nutcracker

Ages: 3 – 8
Theater

Theatre RowNew York City

7 – 8 pm

A Christmas Carol the Musical

Ages: 5 and up
Christmas
Holiday

The Players TheatreNew York City

Saturday Dec. 20

Girl Scout Programs

All day

Walt Whitman Birthplace Museum – Girl Scout Programs!

Ages: 5 – 12
Art
Classes

Walt Whitman BirthplaceHuntington Station

Festival of Trees 2023 Flyer (2)

All day

Port Jefferson Festival of Trees

Ages: 5 – 8
Free
Holiday

Port Jefferson Village CenterPort Jefferson

NY-FamilyEvent-2025

Various

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Interactive Holiday Show

Ages: 8 and under
Holiday
Theater

Manhattan Movement & Arts CenterUpper West Side

pexels-est1307-250177

10 – 11 am

Stella 34 Trattoria’s Breakfast with Santa

Ages: 5 – 8
Food & Drink

Stella 34 TrattoriaHerald Square

CMOM_Hanukkah_Dec25 Programming

10 am – 5 pm

Spin, Sing, and Shine for Hanukkah at CMOM

Ages: 8 and under
Art
Craft & DIY

The Tisch Building at CMOMUpper West Side

11 am – noon

My First Nutcracker

Ages: 3 – 8
Theater

Theatre RowNew York City

childrens access pic

11 am – noon

Children’s Access Workshops

Ages: 5 – 12
Dance
Special Needs

New York City Ballet Rehearsal Studios Samuel B. & David Rose BuildingUpper West Side

sssm new family activity weekends

11 am – 4:30 pm

South Street Seaport Museum Holiday Collages

Ages: 3 and up
Craft & DIY
Holiday

South Street Seaport MuseumDowntown Manhattan

Atlantic_LGT_1

11 am – noon

Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are In A Play!”

Ages: 3 – 8
Books & Readings
Music

Atlantic Stage 2Chelsea

12:20 Nutcracker BKCO

11 – 11:45 am

Nutcracker Notes: A Musical Adventure

Ages: 12 and under
Dance
Holiday

Brooklyn Chamber OrchestraBrooklyn

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11:30 am – 1:30 pm

The Grandest Princess Ball Ever!

Ages: 8 and under
Music
Theater

Carmine’s Italian Restaurant – Times SquareNew York City

Noon – 3 pm

Swish & Skill at Faber: Free Instructional Basketball Clinic for Kids

Ages: 5 and up
Free
Sports

Faber ParkStaten Island

Oz-Dress-run_Ian-Sutherland-2350

Noon – 1:15 pm

Merry Mayhem

Ages: 5 and up
Christmas
Comedy

The New Victory TheaterMidtown

NYDT Nut25 Poster

Noon – 2 pm

The Nutcracker – New York Dance Theatre

Ages: 3 and up
Christmas
Dance

John Cranford Adams Playhouse at Hofstra UniversityUniondale

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